State Unclaimed Property in Vermont
The Vermont State Treasurer holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and similar assets — until the owner or their heirs claim it. The free search and online claim portal is at vermont.unclaimedproperty.com.
Administering agency
Vermont State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division
Authority
27 V.S.A. Chapter 18 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 1553–1557
State Unclaimed Property in Vermont: key facts
- Administering office
- Vermont State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division.
- Official search
- vermont.unclaimedproperty.com (free search and online claims); the Treasurer also links the national NAUPA search at unclaimed.org for other states.
- Deceased-owner procedure
- If probate is open, the property is delivered to the administrator or executor. If the estate is closed and the property is valued at less than $10,000, it is delivered per the Probate Division decree of distribution; with no open estate and no decree, and the property under $10,000, it goes to the surviving spouse, or if none, to the next of kin under 14 V.S.A. § 314. In all other cases the claimant opens a probate estate, and the Probate Division may waive the filing fees (27 V.S.A. § 1557).
- Payment after approval
- Not later than 30 days after a claim is allowed, the Administrator pays or delivers the property or the net proceeds of its sale to the owner (27 V.S.A. § 1555).
- Small estate option for heir claims
- When the deceased owner's unclaimed property is $10,000 or more and no probate estate is open, heirs may use Vermont's small estate procedure (14 V.S.A. § 1901) rather than full probate administration, provided the estate consists entirely of personal property and has a fair market value of not more than $45,000. Letters of administration issued under § 1902 are effective for one year. The Probate Division may waive the filing fees under 27 V.S.A. § 1557.
Governing law: 27 V.S.A. Chapter 18 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 1553–1557
Steps to take when someone dies
- Search vermont.unclaimedproperty.com for the deceased's name and prior addresses, and run a multi-state search at unclaimed.org.
- File a claim with the Vermont Treasurer:
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration if probate is open
- Probate decree of distribution if the estate is closed
- For a closed estate with property valued at less than $10,000 and no decree, proof of the claimant's status as surviving spouse or next of kin
- Proof of death and identification
- For any other case, open a probate estate to establish authority to claim; ask the Probate Division to waive the filing fees under 27 V.S.A. § 1557.
- After the claim is allowed, the Treasurer pays or delivers the property or net proceeds not later than 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Search vermont.unclaimedproperty.com, then file a claim with the Vermont State Treasurer with proof of death and proof of authority — Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration if probate is open, or a probate decree of distribution if the estate is closed.
Under 27 V.S.A. § 1557, if the estate is closed and the property is valued at less than $10,000, the Treasurer delivers it in accordance with the Probate Division decree of distribution; with no open estate and no decree, and the property under $10,000, it goes to the surviving spouse, or if there is none, to the next of kin under 14 V.S.A. § 314. In all other cases the claimant opens a probate estate to claim it, and the Probate Division may waive the filing fees.
Vermont holds unclaimed property until it is claimed, so there is generally no deadline for an owner or heirs to file a claim.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unclaimed Property in Vermont primary sources (9 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Vermont State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division
Authority
27 V.S.A. Chapter 18 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 1553–1557